Exploring Kosher Travel: Inside Transcend Cruises’ Charter River Cruise Line

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    The New York Jewish Travel Guide recently conducted an in-depth discussion with Matthew Shollar, co-founder, and chief visionary officer of Transcend Cruises, to delve into the intricacies of their charter-only river cruise line, particularly focusing on its unique features catering to kosher travelers. Here’s a more detailed overview of our conversation:  Part one of our conversation.

    NYJTG: Thank you for joining us, Matthew. Could you provide us with more insight into your background and the driving force behind the establishment of Transcend Cruises?

    Matthew Shollar: Absolutely. My journey in the travel industry began with the inception of E-Cruise, an innovative online cruise loyalty system. However, my passion for travel and hospitality dates back to my childhood, igniting a desire to revolutionize the industry. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial leadership in luxury travel marketing and sales, I co-founded Transcend Cruises to address the unmet needs of kosher travelers. Recognizing the limitations and shortcomings of existing options, particularly for the Jewish community, I saw an opportunity to create a charter-only river cruise line that not only met but exceeded their expectations.

    NYJTG: Can you elaborate on the distinct offerings of Transcend Cruises and how they cater to kosher travelers?

    Matthew Shollar: Certainly. Transcend Cruises stands out for its comprehensive approach to kosher accommodation. One of our primary features is the total kashrutization of our ships, ensuring a completely dedicated kosher environment. While our vessels are equipped with commercial kitchens to handle diverse culinary needs, we’ve gone a step further by incorporating Shabbat-friendly facilities on our newest ships. These enhancements include features such as automatic lights-off in closets to respect Shabbat observance, catering specifically to the needs of kosher travelers. Additionally, our kosher programs involve a meticulous koshering process during the 24-hour period between charters, completely transforming the culinary operations to meet the highest kosher standards. To further ensure compliance, we deploy a team of Mashgichim (kosher supervisors) to oversee these programs, providing an added layer of assurance for our guests.

    Transcend Cruises, New York Jewish Travel Guide

    NYJTG: How does Transcend Cruises accommodate guests with diverse dietary requirements, including those who may require halal options?

    Matthew Shollar: In line with our commitment to inclusivity, Transcend Cruises offers both kosher and halal options on board, catering to guests with diverse dietary preferences and requirements. Our aim is to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for all travelers, regardless of their dietary restrictions. We understand the importance of flexibility, and as such, we tailor menus and itineraries to suit individual preferences, ensuring that every guest feels welcome and accommodated throughout their journey with us.

    NYJTG: What is the current size of the demand for your kosher program, and how do you navigate market potential and trends?

    Matthew Shollar: Our strategy for addressing the market is multi-faceted, tailored to suit various verticals where kosher services find resonance. We primarily cater to two client categories: those who resell our services to their clientele, such as tour operators or college alumni travel programs, and those who directly sponsor events, like corporate outings or private weddings. Within these segments, we target five distinct vertical markets.

    Firstly, there’s the traditional river cruising clientele, which includes tour operators who integrate river cruises into their standard product offerings. Then, we have affinity groups, such as historical or specialized interest travel groups, like art or culinary enthusiasts. The largest segment for us is the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) market, which constitutes approximately half of our business. This encompasses corporate incentive groups where kosher accommodations are particularly sought after, especially in industries like insurance where kosher observance is prevalent among employees. Private events, such as weddings, also form a substantial part of our clientele. Lastly, we cater to media clients, including companies launching products or hosting events to promote their brand.

    Within these markets, there is a consistent demand for kosher services. This includes kosher tour operators, nonprofits, universities, religious institutions, and corporate entities with kosher requirements. Additionally, private family events often necessitate kosher accommodations, as well as corporate gatherings where a significant percentage of attendees observe kosher or Shabbat practices. We remain agile and responsive to the needs of these diverse groups.

    As for the top five groups in demand, our client mix is expected to evolve with the introduction of our new ships, specifically designed for the group market. Presently, our largest clientele are the tour operators, followed by private events and corporate meetings. However, we anticipate a shift towards larger corporate bookings as we enhance our capabilities with the new ships. In the future, we project corporate events to comprise around 45–50% of our business, with tour operators accounting for approximately 20% and the remaining 30% stemming from various affinity groups and private events.

    Regarding geographical distribution, our clientele is currently evenly split between North America and Europe, with a burgeoning presence in other regions. While North America and Europe presently dominate our market share, we envision expanding into new territories as we attract clients from diverse backgrounds and locations.

    In essence, Transcend Cruises embodies a paradigm shift in the cruise industry, offering unparalleled experiences for kosher and halal travelers while upholding the highest standards of service, accommodation, and culinary excellence.

    Transcend Cruises, New York Jewish Travel Guide

    NYJTG: Why did you choose to navigate the European waterways, like the Rhine River, Danube, and Moselle, instead of targeting places like Lausanne and Bordeaux specifically?

    Matthew Shollar:  Our choice of waterways is primarily dictated by the standardized size of our ships, which are 135 meters in length. This size ensures compatibility with the bridges and locks along the river, facilitating smooth navigation. In Europe, there’s a network of interconnected rivers that allows for seamless travel. For instance, starting from Holland and Belgium, one can travel down the Rhine to the Moselle, then across the Main and Danube, eventually reaching the Black Sea. This route covers approximately 70% of Europe’s navigable rivers.

    While places like Lausanne and Bordeaux offer their own allure, their smaller rivers present logistical challenges. Operating on such rivers would require vessels specifically tailored to their size. Additionally, some rivers, like France’s Rhone River, are self-contained, limiting access to other waterways.

    Our selection of the Rhine, Danube, and Moselle stems from their popularity and adaptability. These rivers offer numerous options for itineraries and stops, providing flexibility that aligns with our approach. Unlike traditional cruises with fixed weekly charters, we offer customizable itineraries. For example, our upcoming Kosher program spans 11 nights, showcasing our commitment to flexibility.

    Our aim is to offer passengers the opportunity to craft their own unique experiences while exploring lesser-known cities like those in the Moselle region, renowned for winemaking. Moreover, by docking centrally in towns, we facilitate easy access for passengers to explore local communities, including attending synagogue services over Shabbat. This immersive approach sets us apart, offering a deeper connection to the destinations visited.

    NYJTG: While you’re currently limited to these three waterways, would you consider future ventures, such as a Jewish heritage cruise on the Danube, known for its rich history of Jewish heritage?

    Matthew Shollar: Absolutely. We plan to operate on the Danube later this year, with a focus on Jewish heritage. I’ve been in discussions with a Jewish organization regarding a mission cruise that would visit countries like Germany, Austria, and Hungary, which have shown significant support for Israel. These regions boast a rich Jewish history, evident in landmarks like synagogues and cemeteries.

    While some may have reservations about visiting Germany due to its history, there’s much to explore beyond that, including pre-Nazi Jewish heritage. Our goal is to offer meaningful experiences that go beyond surface-level tourism. By docking centrally and scheduling around Shabbat, we facilitate interaction with local Jewish communities, offering passengers a deeper understanding of their heritage. This immersive approach aligns with our mission to provide enriching experiences that transcend typical cruise itineraries.

    NYJTG: Have you received inquiries about offering Passover services on your charter vessels?

    Matthew Shollar: We did have a group interested in hosting Passover services on board this year. However, due to logistical and security concerns, they ultimately decided to postpone their plans. While we do convert one of the lounges into a makeshift synagogue when requested, specific arrangements, like a mikvah, would need to be coordinated locally.

    Our commitment to accommodating religious needs extends to ensuring access to synagogue services and kosher dining options onboard. We strive to provide a comfortable and inclusive environment for all passengers, respecting their religious practices and preferences.

    NYJTG: Can passengers access facilities like a synagogue or mikvah onboard your vessels?

    Matthew Shollar: We convert one of the lounges into a synagogue when required, complete with a mechitzah for privacy. As for mikvah, while our vessels have small pools, they are not typically designated for religious use. However, we prioritize docking in cities, allowing passengers to access local facilities if needed.

    Our focus is on providing comfortable and accommodating environments for all passengers, ensuring their religious needs are met to the best of our ability. We remain committed to facilitating religious observance and fostering a welcoming atmosphere onboard our vessels.

    For more information:

    Story by Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide.com, and New York Jewish Guide.com

    For all the details and to organize your kosher Charter River Cruise trip, connect with Transcend at matthew@transcend.cruises or visit https://www.transcend.cruises/

    To access the second part of our conversation, kindly click on the following link:

     

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